Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced plans for the opening of 30 new Sheraton properties across the world over the next 12 months.

“Sheraton is anticipating record-breaking growth, putting us on track to open our 500th hotel in 2015. The majority of our new hotel development is taking place in the world’s fast-growing economies, while in North America, Sheraton remains one of the most sought-after brands for conversion opportunities,” said Hoyt Harper, global brand leader for Sheraton Hotels & Resorts.

Half of the hotels slated to open this year will be located in China, broadening Starwood’s lead as the largest upper-upscale global hotel operator in Asia Pacific.

One of the most notable additions to the company’s portfolio in China will be the Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort, an innovative ring-shaped marvel designed by leading-edge architect Ma Yansong.

“The Sheraton growth trajectory in China has been nothing short of remarkable. For the fourth year in a row, Sheraton will open approximately half of its new hotels in China and demand continues to grow especially in second and third tier cities,” added Harper.

By the end of 2015, the company plans to reach its target of 80 hotels operating in this part of the world.

The brand will be picking up momentum in other fast-growing markets within Asia Pacific. Sheraton New Caledonia Bourail Resort and Spa in New Caledonia and Sheraton Chandigarh Hotel in India are also poised to open this year.

In Africa and the Middle East, Sheraton’s portfolio will expand with the addition of the Sheraton Medina Hotel in Saudi Arabia, the Sheraton Dubai Mall of Emirates and the first property of its kind in Tajikistan – Sheraton Dushanbe Hotel.

The brand’s openings in Latin America will include the Sheraton Tucuman Hotel in Argentina, as well as two new properties in Brazil: the Sheraton da Bahia Hotel in Salvador and the Sheraton Reserva do Paiva Hotel & Convention Center, which is located just 30 minutes from Recife.

Over the next 12 months, two Sheraton hotels are slated to open in Turkey, in the cities of Adana and Bursa. Meanwhile, across North America, the brand will continue to capture conversion opportunities.

“Sheraton is renowned as a global hospitality icon and the brand’s early entry into markets around the world is continuing to pave the way for future growth not only for Sheraton, but also for Starwood’s other eight sought-after brands,” said Simon Turner, president of global development for Starwood. “The quality of the Sheraton hotel portfolio and pipeline is the strongest it has ever been and we look forward to ongoing expansion in both emerging and developed markets.”